| Your child says he or she wants a pet. This | | | | feasible, you need to say that. If you are |
| is often a good idea, as pets can help teach | | | | allergic to other animals, you need to |
| respect for other living creatures, as well | | | | explain that cats and dogs make you sick. And |
| as teach children responsibility and the | | | | if you think that you will get another pet |
| importance of taking care of what belongs to | | | | down the road, tell the child that you will |
| them. However, it is not always a good idea | | | | use the fish to see whether or not he or she |
| to simply run out and purchase a dog or a | | | | is responsible enough for a pet. Once the |
| cat. Even something small, like a hamster or | | | | child proves that she or he will take care of |
| a gerbil, may not be the best route for a | | | | the fish properly, then you can move on to a |
| first pet. A fish, on the other hand, is an | | | | more care intensive pet. |
| excellent choice for a first pet, as its | | | | |
| specific qualities make it ideal for helping | | | | Shopping for the fish can actually be a fun |
| kids learn about taking care of a pet. | | | | experience. The kids get to look at different |
| | | | kinds of fish, and they get to look at |
| Many parenting experts will tell you that it | | | | aquariums. Picking out what goes in the |
| is important to give children small amounts | | | | aquarium, to "decorate" the fish's "home" is |
| of responsibility to begin with. While it is | | | | also part of the fun. Starting out with a |
| important that kids learn how to do things on | | | | simple aquarium, or an even simpler fish |
| their own, overwhelming them with | | | | bowl, is a good bet. Let the child choose out |
| unreasonable demands will only cause | | | | colorful rocks for the bottom of the fish |
| emotional distress and may even permanently | | | | tank or bowl, and let him or her choose a |
| damage their confidence. The same rule | | | | plant or some ceramic decoration. It need not |
| applies when choosing out a first pet. The | | | | be fancy. |
| reason that fish are such great first pets | | | | |
| lies in the fact that fish requires some work | | | | Put your child in charge of feeding the fish |
| on the part of the child, but not so much | | | | each day. Show him or her how to properly do |
| that it is overwhelming. Additionally, fish | | | | this, and choose out a time of day that is |
| are easier to care for in general, and they | | | | easy to remember for the regular feeding. |
| won't make a mess all over the house or the | | | | Just before school, or just before bed, are |
| yard. | | | | good times because they are times of the day |
| | | | that are generally associated with a fairly |
| Finding out that they are getting a fish can | | | | set routine. Help your child clean out the |
| be disappointing to a child, but you need to | | | | tank as needed, ensuring that the child |
| explain things to him or her. If you live in | | | | learns how to care for animals. |
| an apartment and any other type of pet is not | | | | |